TOURISM WILL DRIVE ADDITIONAL US$110 BILLION TO ASIA PACIFIC TO 2009

TOURISM WILL DRIVE ADDITIONAL US$110 BILLION TO ASIA PACIFIC TO 2009

Eighteen Asia Pacific destinations are expected to receive more than US$110 billion in additional tourism revenue over the next three years, according to a new report by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Thailand will be one of the biggest beneficiaries, gaining almost US$13 billion by 2009. Other markets likely to receive strong receipts growth over the forecast period include Malaysia with close to US$11 billion; Korea (ROK) with US$7 billion, China (PRC) with US$36 billion; and Macau SAR with US$5 billion.

These findings are contained in the Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2007-2009 report which was just released by PATA.

The predicted windfall for Thailand follows on from the results of the recent Asia Travel Intentions Survey 2007 which revealed that nine percent more travelers were looking at Asia as their next travel destination. One in five ranked Thailand as their most likely destination with 84% of Swedish respondents most likely to consider the destination for a holiday within the next two years.The survey was jointly conducted by Visa International Asia Pacific (Visa) and PATA.

”One of the fast growing regions in the world, Asia Pacific stimulates some 60% of global tourism demand. Last year, we recorded 350 million international inbound trips - that's almost 100 million more arrivals to Asia Pacific shores than we saw at the end of the twentieth century, only a few years ago”, says John Koldowski, Director of PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre.

”And PATA expects this momentum to continue in the medium-term with arrivals growth averaging around six cent per year to 2009.”

”While inbound flows are expected to continue in the medium-term, Asia Pacific shall remain largely an intra-regional bloc. Most of this growth will come from other Asia Pacific markets with some of these expected to show double digit growth. Hong Kong traffic into Japan is expected to grow by 17% over the forecast period; China (PRC) to Singapore by 16%; India to China by 15%; and USA and Canada to China each by 13%”, he added.

Produced by PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre, the Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2007-2009 is a must-have resource for travel industry decision-makers and researchers who need in-depth knowledge to formulate winning business strategies.

It is researched and prepared by the noted Professors Lindsay W. Turner and Stephen F. Witt, both of whom are internationally recognised as leading experts on the econometric modeling and forecasting of tourism demand.

For more information, visit http://www.pata.org/catalogue or email sic@PATA.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
ABOUT PATA
Mission statement: ”The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA's private and public sector members, we enhance the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region.”

Founded in 1951, PATA is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more at http://www.pata.org/

ABOUT THE ASIA PACIFIC TOURISM FORECASTS 2007-2009 Regarded as the travel industry's essential business planning tool for the next 3-year period, the report features comprehensive numeric insights into the pattern of this year's growth, detailing those sub-regions that are riding high and which are slowing down, which destinations are enjoying a tourism boom, and which ones are still on the road to recovery.

39 Asia Pacific economies are profiled, offering detailed arrivals forecasts and trends analysis, detailed departure forecasts for 12 economies, receipts forecasts for 18 and accommodations projections for a further 13. This edition includes a new chapter on regional forecasts for China PRC and Thailand, plus forecasts for US destinations, Guam and Hawaii; and Sarawak in Malaysia.

ABOUT THE ASIA TRAVEL INTENTIONS 2007 SURVEY Commissioned by Visa Asia Pacific and PATA, the research conducted between 20 February and 2 March 2007, using an online methodology. The research was conducted by panel partner GMI Research in 10 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US. A total of 5,050 respondents were identified and categorized as committed or possible Asia travelers and were asked to comment on the following potential barriers: travel experience and intentions, attitudes to travel in Asia and particular destinations, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, perceptions of negative events and culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism.

ABOUT VISA
Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth.Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. http://www.corporate.visa.com/

PATA Press Release Online pressroom: http://www.pata.org/news
PATA Corporate Communications
Ms Min Min Wong
Tel: +66 (0)2 6582000 extension 107
E-mail: minmin@PATA.org